The Consequences of Child Abuse and Neglect The problem of child abuse does not receive enough of public attention, despite the fact that the issue is international and the frequency of child abuse remains high. In addition to this, it is important to understand that usually only those incidents of child abuse that are visible and tangible come into the public eye, while the rest are often ignored or paid much less attention to. Thus, those children who are affected by emotional abuse or neglect every day are out of the public eye because emotional scars are difficult to reveal. In the end of the 20th century the international law on child protection had been actively developing, which partly contributed to the growth in the public …show more content…
Society often tends to accept that fact that parents might sometimes physically hurt their children as long as this harm is not related to serious physical injuries. Spanking, for example, is usually not associated with the real intention of parents to hurt their children, yet abuse is defined by the harm that it brings and not by motivation of the caregivers. Physical abuse, as empirical studies show, is associated with the chronic arousal of stress responses and high level of arousal to environment (Jelic Tuscic, Flander & Matescovic, 2013). Therefore, regardless of the fact that physical abuse might often be perceived as something that only affects child’s physical state, the negative consequences of physical child abuse are also psychological. As to short-term consequences of this type of abuse, they include injuries and chronic pain. Finally, physical abuse of children might also lead to the most awful consequences such as child’s death or serious physical traumas that make children disabled. Thus, physical abuse cannot coexist with the normal psychological and physical health of a child. Yet, the statistics of physical child abuse remains high. For example, in 2010 the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services confirmed over 754,000 cases of child maltreatment, of these, 18% were victims of physical maltreatment or physical abuse, …show more content…
Physical and emotional abuse, including social ostracism, has short-term and long-term consequences for the mental and physical health of individuals who are the victims of it. The experience of abuse makes a child more likely to be affected by stressful environment and leads to a number of physical problems. In addition to this, child abuse negatively influences children 's cognitive skills, their ability to concentrate and participate in social situations. Some people might, however, believe that the hardship that an individual might overcome in his or her childhood might, in fact, positively influence his or her assertiveness and inner strength. The experience of abuse will not make a child stronger or more resistant to external social influences. On the contrary, it decreases the level of child’s self-esteem, his or her effectiveness in dealing with stress, and his or her cognitive capacity. Given the fact that child abuse cuts across national and ethnic borders, the problem is to be addressed more effectively in order to protect the lives and the well-being of millions of children. This can be achieved through the development of the system of reporting of child abuse and neglect, a more thorough supervision of families, especially those that are dysfunctional, and
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Show MoreThe understanding of child abuse was rising at an unsatisfactory rate resulting in the deaths of Baby,
Nor is there any single description that captures all families in which children are victims of abuse and neglect” (U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Administration for Children and Families Administration on Children, Youth and Families Children 's Bureau, 2003). Research has recognized that there are numerous risk factors or characteristics parents or caregivers may show or have experienced that could increase the likelihood of child maltreatment, e.g., financial instability, participation in social service programs, family factors such as: age, personality, substance abuse, history of maltreatment stress, domestic violence; environmental factors and disabilities (U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Administration for Children and Families Administration on Children, Youth and Families Children 's Bureau, 2003 & 2015). Because of the data, these commonalities are able to be precursors leading up to child abuse or maltreatment but many times it is hard to measure the severity of them and therefore they may end up undetected (U.S DHHSA
ASCA, n.p. Web. 13 November 2015. As the name suggests, this research takes into account the different types research. The study ensures that all the different types of child abuse are covered in its discussion.
This paper will provide insight into the psychological effects of child abuse and offer recommendations for future research.
The subject of child abuse made headlines in America again in the year 1962, when an article in the Journal of the American Medical Association described the symptoms of child abuse and considered child abuse to be diagnosed medically. Due to the heavy press and media coverage around this one particular article, inside 10 years each state had statutes known as "obligatory reporting”. Compulsory reporting laws require certain experts, for example, specialists, and educators, to report speculated children mishandle to the state, child defensive administrations office or other appropriate powers. CAPTA was marked into government law. This further supported endeavor to end child mishandle by financing programs that help people perceive and report child abuse and to give shelter and numerous different administrations to ensure
Research has consistently found that child abuse and neglect (maltreatment) increases the risk of lower academic achievement and problematic school performance. These children have suffered significant emotional stress during critical periods of early brain development and personality formation, the support they require is reparative as well as
Sadly even more children are abused than actually reported, “research has revealed alarming rates of abuse in foster care. One independent study after another has found abuse in one-quarter to one-third of foster homes, and the rate in group homes and institutions is even higher. And for reasons related to study methodology... even those figures almost certainly are underestimates” (Richard Wexler). According to Wexler a majority of figures addressing the number of children abused are put together by the child welfare agencies.
Much like incestual abuse, physical abuse has grossly negative effects on its victims. The article Child Abuse, Social Support, and Social Functioning in African African American Children states that “abused children experience higher rates of both internalizing and externalizing symptoms that often lead to mental disorders” (Lamis). Similar to incest victims, many physical abuse victims go unacknowledged and untreated, resulting in devastating
It focuses on the death from abuse and neglect of nearly 68% of children 4 years old and younger. The consequences of child maltreatment can be severely damaging to a child and can result in poor health, depression, cancer, premature death, and substance abuse into adulthood. It talks about the different type of abuse and neglect whether physical, medical, educational, emotional and sexual. Abandonment is the most common type of commitment in contradiction of children. It also focuses on the solutions and outcomes of helping new parents gain knowledge of basic parenting skills by matching new families with trained nurses or
Maltreatment has a severe impact on a child’s current and future functioning and development regarding their emotional, social, cognitive, behavioral, and physical wellbeing.(Frederico 345). Different types of abuse, such as physical, emotional, and sexual have different consequences, but the consequences of all maltreatment, are likely to happen in three stages. Firstly, a child may have an initial reaction such as post-traumatic symptoms, painful emotions, and cognitive distortions. Secondly, children develop coping strategies that are aimed to help increase their safety or reduce their pain. Thirdly, a child 's sense of self-worth is damaged and develop the feeling of shame and hopelessness..
The incidence of child abuse and neglect has increased dramatically in the past 25 years; the statistics have risen over 130% since 1980 with 1993 being the first year since 1972 in which the number was less than the previous year. Throughout the years child abuse has had a greater impact on the United States and more thorough research has been brought out. The United States has one of the worst records among industrialized nations, losing more than four children on average every day to child abuse and neglect.(cite source) Among the many forms of child abuse are emotional, physical, and sexual abuse. Physical abuse has statistically been in the lead since the 1980’s at 45%, while emotional abuse has been at 22% and sexual abuse has been at
In 2018, physical abuse is “hidden”, but it is present in such large numbers especially in children, “Children are suffering from a hidden epidemic of child abuse and neglect… Every year more than 3.6 million referrals are made to child protection agencies…” (childhelp). Physical abuse is a major issue current day, every day 7 to 10 children die due to abuse or neglect. Because abuse was such a big issue in history, and is such a big issue current day, abuse laws are now being enforced in order to prevent future cases from
Each year in America alone, an estimate of two million children, ranging from infants to teenagers go through minor or major kinds of abuse which include neglect, physical, emotional, and sexual maltreatment. According to the National American Committee to Prevent Child Abuse, neglect represented 54% of confirmed cases of child abuse, physical abuse represented 22%, sexual abuse represented 8%, emotional maltreatment represented 4%, and other forms of maltreatment represented12%. It also indicates that child abuse is far more common in single-parent families than in families where both parents are
The current research study will aim to find out the relationship between child abuse and academic performance in children. Why there is little awareness on the implications of child abuse? What steps can be taken by teachers to safeguard the rights of children in the school setting? What are the effects of child abuse on the mental health of children? What are the policies that could be taken to protect children from child abuse?
“There are many factors that contribute to this repulsive behavior. Physical, sexual, and psychological cruelty are effects of child abuse. Physical abuse is a painful, devastating event that occurs on a daily basis. According to the government, physical abuse is “when someone uses a part of their body or an object to control a person’s actions.” “ There are many forms of physical force, such as, hitting, strangling, slapping, beating, and kicking.